RI, MA EHS Pest Control Blog

The owner of a rooming home that reportedly has had problems with bed bugs for five years was fined by the state and is barred from taking new tenants until conditions improve.

According to a report, residents at the property have reported bed-bug infestations for five years. The report said he also owns two other properties that have similar problems.

Jassil, the owner, was fined $1,000 by the Department of Community Affairs, which regulates rooming homes in the state, after failing a second inspection at his Somerville property. The department also imposed an admission curtailment order on the property, prohibiting Jassil from accepting new tenants "until further notice."

In a rooming home, tenants occupy single-room living spaces but share kitchens, bathrooms and living areas. The state first inspected the two-story property on Dec. 5, 2014. Inspectors found bed bug activity, ceiling leaks, damaged ceiling tiles, dirty walls, trash pile-ups and dirty dishes in rooms.

After the residence was re-evaluated on Feb. 20, inspectors found that he treated the property for bed bugs, but failed to provide certification proving the house was inspected after 60 days and no evidence of activity was found.

The inspection also found that Jassil "failed to conduct routine housekeeping of harborage areas i.e. vacuuming, washing baseboards/walls etc.

He did, however, check new residents for possible bed bug infestation and obtain a contract with a licensed pesticide applicator to maintain routine scheduled treatments.